Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines, bows before the altar during the 17th annual National Filipino Pilgrimage at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington in 2014. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)(CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)

When Should We Bow At Mass?

“Bowing” is indicated repeatedly in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), the Church’s directives for the celebration of the Mass, but No. 275 offers a helpful summary of this posture:

“A bow signifies reverence and honor shown to the persons themselves or to the signs that represent them. There are two kinds of bow: a bow of the head and a bow of the body.

“a) A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together and at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honor Mass is being celebrated.

“b) A bow of the body, that is to say, a profound bow, is made to the altar; during the prayers Munda cor meum (Cleanse my heart) and In spiritu humilitatis (With humble spirit); in the Creed at the words et incarnatus est (and by the Holy Spirit . . . and became man); in the Roman Canon at the Supplices te rogamus (In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God). The same kind of bow is made by the Deacon when he asks for a blessing before the proclamation of the Gospel. In addition, the Priest bows slightly as he pronounces the words of the Lord at the Consecration.”